Sixth Form EthosThank you for your interest in continuing your studies with our academy. Whether your next step is university, further education, apprenticeship, training or employment, The Arnewood School Sixth Form will provide you with a secure route to your next goal.

Our track record of high achievement for both academic and vocational courses sits with equal pride alongside our reputation for excellent post-16 teaching and specialist pastoral support. While many students continue their education with us from Arnewood, large numbers join us from elsewhere, including overseas. All are most welcome in our truly inclusive and happy sixth form.

I extend a warm invitation to visit the school and see for yourself the wide range of opportunities on offer, including our dedicated Sixth Form resources. Whatever your destination, your success matters to us.

Nigel Pressnell Headteacher

This prospectus will guide you through the rich and varied curriculum on offer to students of all abilities. It will, hopefully, convey the sense of community and spirit here at the Sixth Form making it such a great place to study. We pride ourselves on our strong pastoral care and this knowledge of each and every student supports one of the most exciting times in your education. The Sixth Form will allow you to study in a purposeful yet relaxed environment where success is an integral part of this thriving sixth form.

The Sixth Form at Arnewood School is hard working, but it is also fun. You will make friendships that can last a lifetime and you will be encouraged to fulfil your potential and realise your ambitions. For further information about The Arnewood School Sixth Form visit the school website or please don’t hesitate to contact us here at the school.

Mark Colman Head of Sixth Form

> Outstanding exam results with a proven track record of students progressing to Higher Education, training and employment

> Excellent purpose built facilities fitting our broad curriculum

> “The quality of teaching is consistently high” Ofsted

> The positive working relationships between staff and students

> University and Career Guidance supported by a structured tutorial package

> Financial support, travel subsidies and academic scholarship programme

> Innovative use of eLearning across the school’s WiFi enabled campus

Why study at the Arnewood Sixth Form?

There are many opportunities for older students to take responsibility; for example, by acting as a sports leader, buddies, mentors and prefects. Ofsted

The step into year 12 was easy, much easier than expected; guidance from staff really helped confirm my course choices and I really liked the friendly and welcoming environment on the open days.

Grace Sheppard year 12

> September – Subject advice via website/prospectus/curriculum guides

> October – Open Evening

> November – Taster Day

> January – Sixth Form Application Deadline

> February/March – Interviews conducted, with confirmation letters sent out

> May – Letters sent out detailing: the Information Evening, Travel Arrangements, Bursaries and a Team Building Day

> June/July – Information Evening and ‘Bridging the Gap’ sessions for specific subjects

> August – Exam Results Day, Problem Solving Day

> September – Induction Day, Team Building Day

Transition into Year 12

Sixth Form students enter a mature partnership with the school. We expect the very highest standards of commitment and achievement from our students but in turn we are committed to providing an education of the highest quality. Our mission statement of ‘working together – shaping tomorrow’ underpins this philosophy.

We believe working together is one of our strengths. That is why our tutor system reflects the subjects you have chosen to give you the best subject knowledge and careers guidance from our experienced team.

Guidance, Support and Achievement

The framework of support offered by Arnewood has made the university application process smooth. The combination of life skills workshops, tutor times and mentoring sessions guides you through the process with care. Rachel Robinson year 13

> A personal tutor to monitor your academic progress, support applications to university or for an apprenticeship

> Preparation and support for applying to Russell Group Universities including Oxford and Cambridge

> A bespoke life skills package that includes personalised careers guidance

> A week completing valuable work experience in industry

> A Careers Fair in November with specialised workshops in CV writing, interview skills, personal statements and student finance

Our Guidance and Support programme consists of:

Here at The Arnewood Sixth Form we believe that every student should have the opportunity to continue their education post-16, and we have continued to develop a range of courses to meet individual needs. We deliver a wide range of A levels and vocational courses taught by expert staff with a continuing commitment to the highest standards. Our results consistently place us within the top performing sixth form colleges nationally, according to the A Level performance data, and our learning environment provides a relaxed yet purposeful atmosphere.

There is a strong focus in the Sixth Form on skill development, independent study and in-depth learning. Alongside taught lessons, students are expected to undertake additional reading and research in each of their chosen courses. To aid this, we provide well-equipped private study rooms with computers and internet access across the school site. The school library is an excellent facility that is staffed by experts adept at helping students locate materials relevant to their research.

The Curriculum

The teaching staff at Arnewood are some of the most dedicated anywhere, particularly when it comes to Sixth Form students. They consistently put in extra time during study periods and after school to assist and further our learning. Lee Bonham year 12

Student Views

Students from a very wide range of abilities join the Sixth Form and their needs are met through a good range of both A-level and vocational courses. Ofsted

The learning platform, Firefly, is a really useful program that makes organising homework and key events much easier. It has made Sixth Form work a lot more manageable and encourages me to complete work early. Matthew Hunt year 13

As part of our A level Geography course, we visited Hengistbury Head to investigate the rate of erosion, and its impacts along the coastline. The trip involved collecting data by conducting beach profiles for our physical Geography unit. This part of the trip was thoroughly engaging, informative and enjoyable for every student, and I now feel a lot more confident in this part of the course. Jason Bush year 13

In photography we had the opportunity to go to the Arts Institute in Bournemouth where we were fortunate enough to go around the Arts exhibition as well as have workshops using their specialist equipment. Jasmine Lawton year 12

At The Arnewood Sixth Form we take care of you right from the start. You will have the opportunity to study new and interesting subjects in specialist subject areas. Alongside this there are a wide range of subject-based trips, for instance Hampton Court Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the Crown Court, Science Live and numerous trips to universities.

Careers, Work experience and Apprenticeships

I went to a company called Curtiss-Wright who make components for vehicles and joysticks to go on wheelchairs. I spent each day with a different department. For example, sales and marketing and the mechanical engineers in design and quality. Besides having fun testing the vehicles I also was able to take a lot from my work experience. It has given me a sense of direction for my university course (I am currently looking at product design) and I now have a solid understanding of how a big company that is placed all over the world, including the USA and China, can function. Abigail Landa year 12

Careers, Work experience and Apprenticeships

For my work experience week I went to BAE Systems in Christchurch. While I was there I was supporting a systems engineer working on a project called ‘TCS-India’ which was essentially a bid. The product we were engineering was a broadband system which we were going to sell to the Indian Military. I found the project really fun and interesting, spending half the time in the labs learning how they designed and tested the system and the other half meeting new people and looking at how BAE operates as a company. Daniel Nock year 12

I spent just one week with the lovely people at ‘It’s Your Choice’, although I wish it could’ve lasted longer! The New Forest based charity spend their time offering advice, support and guidance to young people struggling with any personal issue worrying them, varying from substance abuse and sexual health concerns to issues with housing and money, although there are many more areas that they cover. The staff and volunteers I was working with put a lot of effort into finding jobs for me to do which would offer a variety of opportunities to learn and better understand the important and valuable role of the charity. Cathy Gleave year 12

Extra Curricular Opportunities

At the Arnewood Sixth Form we encourage all students to make the most of what is on offer. Our enrichment programme offers a great range of activities such as learning an extra language, a ski trip, being part of the Community Leader’s Programme supporting lower school or the wider community, school productions, concerts, fashion shows and exhibitions in Art and Photography. There is also a Sixth Form enrichment afternoon where you can swim, go to the gym at New Milton Health and Leisure or play recreational volleyball or badminton. For those of you who are more competitive we run our First XI Football Team in the Dorset Schools Football League and enter tournaments in rugby, netball and hockey. Alongside our range of activities, students are actively encouraged to start their own clubs, groups and societies.

A Head Boy and Head Girl and two Deputies are appointed each year and act as ambassadors for the whole school. These roles form part of the student leadership team that really have an impact on shaping the direction of the Sixth Form. Their roles have included taking part in school presentations, leading assemblies and mentoring lower school students to improve confidence and communication.

The student leadership team are also instrumental in organising the start of term Freshers Evening, the end of year prom and the various social events that take place during the year.

Alongside the school’s main choir, orchestra and samba band the Sixth Form offers the opportunity to be part of smaller ensembles. Whether that be as a singer-songwriter, group or as a jazz band, the music rooms are available to practise in for lunchtime or end of term concerts. Tegan Gears year 12

Gore Road | New Milton | Hampshire | BH25 6RST 01425 625400 | F 01425 625425E enquiries@arnewood.hants.sch.uk | W www.arnewood.hants.sch.uk